# Vikings in New Zealand **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 8, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185 "2003-09-08T00:28:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/81 "2013-03-31T16:13:17Z")
I met a Māori guy who claimed the original inhabitants of New Zealand were short, hairy footed people who occasionally rode giant eagles, then told me to look at a Haast eagle skeleton as ‘proof’. He was trying not to smirk at the time, mind. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/82 "2013-03-31T16:19:02Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > I noticed you disregarded the fact the Vikings went to New Zealand. But guess what they did and discovered Australia but choose not to go onto the land as it had black people (aboriginal’s) living on it. There’s no such fact and your only evidence so far is hearsay at least 800 years out of date and a website that completely lacks in cites for evidence and is obviously written by someone conspiracy minded. Even if your Maori friend had accurate knowledge of blonde and blue eyed inhabitants being on NZ in the 1200s, how would the Maori known the people they displaced were vikings? And where do you get the idea their aboriginal status in NZ would be threatened by such a discovery? Oh, and as someone with a genuine ø in my name, let me add my voice to those stating that random Scandinavian letters replacing their Latin base letters **is** annoying. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/83 "2013-03-31T16:19:41Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > Have you always been a stubborn cunt? > > Can’t face the fact that the English weren’t the first whites to discover Australia and New Zealand and were not the first whites to have landed in New Zealand? **MODERATOR WARNING** Don’t insult another poster. This is General Questions. **samclem** , moderator ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/84 "2013-03-31T16:20:27Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > [New Zealand, A Celtic country](http://www.kilts.co.nz/mhorruairidh.htm) My god, have you read the dumbass stuff in that link? I’d be embarrassed to link to it. I was going to quote some of the guff in the page (“Men in Taine’s lineage were often well over 7 foot tall”, “The following is an example of an oral history supported by records held in Scotland. A book about this particular story, with supporting documentation is due for release sometime in the year 2000.”) when I realized that the site is part of _ **Mitchell’s Kilt Hire & Bagpipe Center** _’s website. Seriously? Your citation is an unattributed load of hooey from the bagpipe rental store? Are you a bagpipe renter? ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/85 "2013-03-31T18:16:25Z")
Dork! Everybody knows they were ancient aliens, not Vikings! Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/86 "2013-03-31T18:37:57Z")
> [@Daylate](#): > > Dork! Everybody knows they were ancient aliens, not Vikings! Jeez. Ancient Aliens are found on _NatGeo_. Viknogs are on _THC_. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/87 "2013-03-31T18:56:10Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > [New Zealand, A Celtic country](http://www.kilts.co.nz/mhorruairidh.htm) Thanks for the laugh. I find it especially amusing that, in the 12th century, his two sons were called “Rory and Ruaridh,” since _Rory_ is just the anglicized form of _Ruaridh_, and _Ruaridh_ is just a misspelling of what would have been _Ruaidrí_ in the 12th century. (The terminal -dh is a perfectly valid modern spelling, but it still needs another -i-.) ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/88 "2013-03-31T19:25:12Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Thanks for the laugh. I find it especially amusing that, in the 12th century, his two sons were called “Rory and Ruaridh,” since _Rory_ is just the anglicized form of _Ruaridh_, and _Ruaridh_ is just a misspelling of what would have been _Ruaidrí_ in the 12th century. (The terminal -dh is a perfectly valid modern spelling, but it still needs another -i-.) I liked how they managed the neat trick of fetishizing both Viking _and_ Scottish imagery at the same time. (I was disappointed they didn’t throw in some Cherokee Indian stuff too, just for the hell of it) ---
**Author:** ![Georg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9f8e36/32.png) [@Georg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Georg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/89 "2013-03-31T19:38:02Z")
> [@naita](#): > > There’s no such fact and your only evidence so far is hearsay at least 800 years out of date and a website that completely lacks in cites for evidence and is obviously written by someone conspiracy minded. > > Even if your Maori friend had accurate knowledge of blonde and blue eyed inhabitants being on NZ in the 1200s, how would the Maori known the people they displaced were vikings? And where do you get the idea their aboriginal status in NZ would be threatened by such a discovery? > > Oh, and as someone with a genuine ø in my name, let me add my voice to those stating that random Scandinavian letters replacing their Latin base letters **is** annoying. I never said anything about aboriginal’s in new Zealand plus Maori people do talk to each other and pass information about their ancestors down. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/90 "2013-03-31T19:41:05Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > I never said anything about aboriginal’s in new Zealand plus Maori people do talk to each other and pass information about their ancestors down. The Maori are the aboriginal people of NZ. It’s not a term used exclusively to describe the Australian Aboriginals. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/91 "2013-03-31T19:43:09Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > First of, ø is pronounced ou hence the beer øl I do listen to TrollfesT. I think you need to find a better source for Scandinavian pronunciation. Ø is a sound that is not found in English, and it is definitely not “ou”. It is also never used in the name Georg, which is always spelled G-E-O-R-G. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/92 "2013-03-31T19:45:13Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > I never said anything about aboriginal’s in new Zealand plus Maori people do talk to each other and pass information about their ancestors down. How did they know the people they displaced were Vikings and not Belgians? There’s lots of blond blue-eyed Belgians. ---
**Author:** ![Georg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9f8e36/32.png) [@Georg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Georg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/93 "2013-03-31T20:00:49Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > How did they know the people they displaced were Vikings and not Belgians? There’s lots of blond blue-eyed Belgians. Some did interbreed and the children would have been told the stories and those stories would have been passed down. ---
**Author:** ![Georg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9f8e36/32.png) [@Georg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Georg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/94 "2013-03-31T20:03:54Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > I think you need to find a better source for Scandinavian pronunciation. Ø is a sound that is not found in English, and it is definitely not “ou”. > > It is also never used in the name Georg, which is always spelled G-E-O-R-G. Funny you should mention that. As it was a Norwegian that told me that. Also that is how my actual name is spelt. My mum called me that. ---
**Author:** ![Georg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9f8e36/32.png) [@Georg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Georg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/95 "2013-03-31T20:14:09Z")
I read once there is a cave on the north island which contains history of new Zealand and who the first settlers were. Only problem is that is has been sealed off and will not be opened to the public until 2056. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/96 "2013-03-31T20:32:35Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > I read once there is a cave on the north island which contains history of new Zealand and who the first settlers were. Only problem is that is has been sealed off and will not be opened to the public until 2056. “I read once” is not a valid cite on this site. If it comes from a source as bad as what you’ve offered so far it’s certainly not worth the electrons it’s transmitted by. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/97 "2013-03-31T20:38:16Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > Some did interbreed and the children would have been told the stories and those stories would have been passed down. What’s the word for Viking in Maori? ---
**Author:** ![Georg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9f8e36/32.png) [@Georg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Georg)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/98 "2013-03-31T21:36:01Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > What’s the word for Viking in Maori? I believe they were called by the Maoris the mo oris or something along that line. I got no idea of the correct spelling. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/99 "2013-03-31T21:44:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > What’s the word for Viking in Maori? \*Te haole. \* 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185/100 "2013-03-31T22:35:03Z")
> [@Georg](#): > > I believe they were called by the Maoris the mo oris or something along that line. I got no idea of the correct spelling. If you are talking about the Moriori, then that’s nonsense. The Moriori were not white, and it is now thought that they did not colonize New Zealand before the Maoris arrived. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > \*Te haole. > \* > > 🙂 That’s Hawaiian. The Maori word for European is _pakeha._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vikings-in-new-zealand/200185.md?page=6)